This story has been updated to reflect new information
Yoel Romero has sought to clarify remarks made in a post-fight interview Saturday night which he claims were misinterpreted.
After Romero finished Lyoto Machida in the third round of their main event at UFC Fight Night 70 in Hollywood, Fla., the "Soldier of God" took to the mic and in shaky English said what many interpreted to be a shot at gay marriage.
Romero, whose first language is Spanish, chose to speak directly to the audience instead of using an interpreter, leading many to believe he was criticizing Friday's Supreme Court ruling to legalize gay marriage in the United States. However at the post-fight press conference, Romero availed himself of a translator to say he would never speak ill of the LGBT community:
"What I was trying to say in the Octagon was for the American Dream. There was a misunderstanding about gay marriage. And I want to say something. God told Maria Magdelena, 'you're a prostitute, go and don't sin anymore.' And he told her with love. Who am I to judge anybody? Even though I didn't refer to that [gay marriage], even though there was a misunderstanding, I will tell you guys something. God made man to be free. Anybody could do whatever they want. I wouldn't be the type of person to critique anybody. I gotta look at myself first. Be a better person. To be able to love people. I didn't refer to anybody. What I was trying to say, the United States, thank you for giving me the American Dream. There's no better country than this because it is blessed by God."
Well that certainly seems to explain that. This may, however, serve as a cautionary tale for fighters whose first language is not that of the audience which they are trying to address. Nevertheless, let's hope that all's well that ends well.
It isn't hard to see how people might have gotten the wrong idea, considering the fact that by all accounts Romero appeared to be criticizing the United States for having lost its way and urging people to "wake up."
Here is the original transcribed copy (corrected for an error):
"I want to say something. I try in English. So sorry if the people don't understand me but I try. Hey! Hey U.S.A., hey Miami! Hey Florida! Listen people, listen, listen! Listen! What happened to you, U.S.A.? What happened to you? What's going on? You forget the best of the best of the world, the name of Jesus Christ! What happened to you? Wake up, U.S.A.! Go, go back where you gone. Go for Jesus! No forget Jesus people!"
That was Romero's message for Americans after winning UFC Fight Night 70's main event last night in Hollywood, Fla., against Lyoto Machida on FOX Sports 1 (watch the crushing knockout here).
For complete results from UFC Fight Night 70: "Machida vs. Romero" click here.
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